The Tribal Mind: Week 49

This blog is now a heritage item -- worth studying but no longer current. To join the latest discussion, click here. To test yourself on whether you're fit to be an Australian citizen, click here. Updated 10am, Monday December 10

Along with their usual passion for cricket, Australian viewers are showing an alarming preoccupation with sex, drugs and anatomy. At the end of Week One of the silly season, in which the TV networks try out programs they don't have the nerve to show during the ratings year, Channel Nine finds itself with a hit show it doesn't really want.

Last week it played the first episode of Weeds twice. Weeds is a new American sitcom about a desperate housewife who sells marihuana to her neighbours. The Tuesday showing got 803,000 viewers in the mainland capitals, and the Thursday showing got 630,000, suggesting either that Weeds had great word of mouth or that many of the original viewers came back to make sure they'd heard a woman using the C word in prime time. The audience for tomorrow night's episode will reveal whether Weeds is the Friends of 2007.

Channel Seven may have been similarly embarrassed when 1.1 million viewers watched its Monday night thriller Vanished. This show has been cancelled in the US after 14 episodes, so to prevent Australians forming an attachment which can never be requited, Seven has moved Vanished from an 8.30 timeslot to 9.30. The return of Smallville and Charmed on Ten managed less than 800,000, as did Nip/Tuck on Nine. No risk of them lasting past January.

Nine won the first week of the silly season with 38.0 per cent of the prime time audience, while Seven got 27.3, Ten got 19.9, ABC got 18.7 and SBS got 6.3.

Updated 10 am, Friday December 8
The debut of Weeds on Tuesday seemed to get 915,000 viewers in the mainland capitals, but that figure was distorted by the over-run of cricket and swimming. The Thursday repeat drew 633,000. If we're entitled to add the Tuesday and the Thursday figures, we could declare it a bigger hit than the top sitcom of the year, My Name Is Earl. But we'd better wait till next week to find out what word of mouth will do.

Updated 10 am, Thursday December 7
At 7pm on Tuesday, three million people in the mainland capitals were watching Channel Nine. The cricket finished, and half of them turned off their TV sets and put them away for the summer. Last night was the real beginning of the silly season. This is the time of the year when the ABC can do brilliantly, simply by repeating Kath and Kim. Look at the audiences:

Give this man his own show. Kevin Rudd proved a massive ratings raiser on Monday night for the ABC. Normally The 7.30 Report breaks out the prosecco if it can draw 900,000 viewers. On Monday, its interview with the new Labor leader pulled 1.2 million in the mainland capitals -- the program's best result of the year. The last time the program did better than that (1.3 million) was for its coverage of the Cronulla riots on December 12 last year.

The 7.30 Report outrated Seven's new drama Vanished, Ten's new season of Smallville and Nine's new season of Nip/ Tuck. Will Labor's new slogan be "Faster than Superman, more powerful than plastic surgery, able to leap American thrillers in a single bound"?

Meanwhile, we've been trying to pin down who Rudd reminds us of. It's down to two people, the American schoolkid Butters from South Park and the English writer Alan Bennett. Do you have any other suggestions?

First day of the silly season, and the diversity of Australian tastes is already apparent. Last night's ratings chart (below) proves we're a nation almost equally interested in cricket, music, swimming, dancing, homemaking, escaping and the history of Egypt.

Eddie McGuire promised yesterday that Nine would not "turn off the lights" this summer (we know what it did last summer) and would take the fight to Seven every day, in order to start next year in a stronger audience position than this year. The test will be how viewers respond to shows judged too challenging to be shown during the ratings year -- like Nip/Tuck and Whose Line Is It Anyway tonight, and Weeds and the Dave Hughes special tomorrow night. If they go well, Nine might be a little bolder in its programming next official ratings year.

Updated 10 am Sunday December 3
For those who retain some faith in television as a mental stimulant, Australia is about to enter the most precious period of the year -- ten weeks in which the networks stop enforcing uniformity and start celebrating diversity, when they treat us as individuals instead of a mass market. Suddenly we'll see the shows they thought were too challenging to pull more than a million viewers between February and November. If you're smarter, cooler and more imaginative than the stations' stereotype of their typical consumer, this is your time.

Here is The Tribal Mind's pick of the summer menu ...Rome (9): All the sex, violence and politics behind Julius Caesar's rise to power -- The Sopranos set in 50 BC.Weeds (9): A Golden Globe-winning sitcom, in the tradition of My Name Is Earl, about a desperate housewife who sells marijuana to her neighbours.Vanished (7): A mystery serial with elements of The West Wing, Lost and Without A Trace. There are only 14 episodes, because the US Fox network has cancelled it. But it least it has an ending.Men in Trees (9): somewhere between Gilmore Girls and Sex and the City (but set in Alaska), it stars Anne Heche as a relationships counseller figuring out male motivations.Waking The Dead (9): Britain's inspiration for CSI and Cold Case. Veronica Mars (10): Finally a continuous run for the teenage detective with more than a touch of Buffy. Life Begins (7): British dramedy about a suddenly separated 39 year old woman.

Plus, of course such guilty pleasures as Nip/Tuck (9), Will and Grace (7), Australian Princess (10), Smallville (10) and the final season of Charmed (10), never as hot after Shannen Doherty left, but still amusing.

To discuss the new programing plans of Channel Seven, the ABC and Channel Ten, click here.

Posted
by David DaleDecember 10, 2006 12:49 AM

LATEST COMMENTS

great result for nine with all it's shows doing well. What were the shares like. Seems pretty close.

Tribal Mind replies: Nine won the night with about 30 per cent of the prime time audience. But since we are now in the silly season where the networks don't care about daily shares, this column is not going to publish that amount of detail every day.

Posted by: bugzy on December 4, 2006 10:28 AM

So what if we're in the silly season. If you just post the program number then you'll have a whole column of speculations. Also, if I remember correctly you did say it will be business as usual, silly season or not.

Tribal Mind replies If something newsworthy happens, we'll keep you informed. We post the audience figures for the top programs each day because it gives an insight into what Australians are currently thinking. Daily network share percentages are academic at this point in the year, and our time is better spent finding more interesting stories for the readers of Stay in Touch.

Posted by: bugzy on December 4, 2006 10:43 AM

Hi TM
Could you tell me how American Idol rated on Saturday?

Tribal Mind replies:429,000.

Posted by: rt on December 4, 2006 10:47 AM

Fine. You also did say you'll do a comparison of the different news bulletins throughout the day.

Tribal Mind replies: I'll get to it eventually. I'm currently going through the lists of 5,000 most watched programs of the year, for men, women, under 40s, grocery buyers, and OG1s, and the patterns I find will be rolled out in Tribal Mind columns over the next few weeks. Please be patient -- this research has to be done early in the morning or late at night, when paid work is finished.

Posted by: bugzy on December 4, 2006 10:57 AM

Am I wrong or did I see Tracey Spicer on Ch10 news Saturday night??? I thought she was sacked and taking legal action against 10.

Posted by: cronk on December 4, 2006 10:58 AM

Actually, looking by what people comment on, SiT readers want ratings information and the more data available the better. Just have a look at how popular the ratings threads are compared to the rest

Posted by: bugzy on December 4, 2006 11:02 AM

@ cronk, Tracey wasn't sacked! her contract just isn't being renewed when it ends, Dec 31st.

Posted by: bugzy on December 4, 2006 11:18 AM

So this blog will remain active over summer, with ratings every day? (most, anyway)?

Tribal Mind replies: At least until the current editor, who does it in his spare time, goes on holidays on December 16. Not sure if Fairfax will bother to put anybody on it after that.

Posted by: James on December 4, 2006 11:47 AM

"Am I wrong or did I see Tracey Spicer on Ch10 news Saturday night??? I thought she was sacked and taking legal action against 10.
Posted by: cronk at December 4, 2006 10:58 AM"

Tracey's contract with Ten expires on December 31 this year, and won't be renewed. In the meantime she will continue to read the news for the network.

Posted by: johnson on December 4, 2006 12:04 PM

if swimming rated so well yesterday (6th) how come channel nine isn't showing it today

Posted by: anthony on December 4, 2006 5:41 PM

Sorry for not knowing but why exactly is it called silly season?
Is it because it goes through the major holiday time of the year/new year and the networks figure hardly anyone will be wanting to stay home and watch television?

Tribal Mind replies: In the past, ratings were not measured in December and January, so the stations just put on any old rubbish. They still act as if this is the case, even though the people meters now send their data to the OzTAM computer every day.

Posted by: steve on December 4, 2006 9:10 PM

TM, I watched Vanished last night which wasn't bad at all. I notice that it has finished in the States and rather than screening the last four episodes on tv, they are streaming on the Vanished myspace page.
Do you know what 7 is going to do?

Tribal Mind replies: I will ask, though Seven may not be talking to me.

Posted by: Tas on December 5, 2006 8:28 AM

Thanks for the info on Tracey Spicer, guys.
As far as I can find out, I can't see a schedule for Rome on Ch9, for the blogger who asked.

Tribal Mind, why wouldn't they? All summer programming on Seven will wrap up by the end of the summer/non ratings period. Unlike on Nine and Ten when viewers will be left hanging once again to see the finish of their favourite show.

TM replies: The commercial networks do not exactly have a record of consistency in showing US series. Seven has been better than Nine and Ten, but there is still reason for scepticism.

Posted by: bugzy on December 5, 2006 10:18 AM

Bugzy, I'm inclined to be as sceptial as TM and fear that we may never know what happened to the Senator's wife!

Posted by: Tas on December 5, 2006 10:29 AM

It?s great to see the provocative "Nip/Tuck" last night, let?s just hope 9 keeps it there. By the way TM, will Ten screen "The Shield" anytime soon?

Tribal Mind replies: It's not listed in Ten's plans for the summer or for next year. No doubt a reader will have more info on this.

Posted by: Signor Nick on December 5, 2006 10:50 AM

TM do you know if the ABC are now (theoretically at least) going to show The West Wing through to the series final which would, allowing for Christmas and New Years falling on Mondays, take it through to approximately early April - based on 2 eps a week?

Posted by: Cat on December 5, 2006 11:15 AM

TM (or any one else for that matter) know what the ratings were like for the day Mark Latham was announced as leader of the opposition?

Posted by: Pregnant Pause on December 5, 2006 11:36 AM

Looking at December 05 figures has 7.30 Report above million viewers numerous times fwiw.
TM: Appreciate your work this year. Cheers

Posted by: paora on December 5, 2006 12:04 PM

Is there anyway possible if you could tell me when The Chaser will be returning to our screens next year?

Posted by: Simone on December 5, 2006 12:45 PM

hi tm, do you or anyone else here know whether veronica mars is going to be on at a different time this summer ( as opposed to 10.30pm fri nights) hope 10 can put it on in a better time slot.
thanks

Posted by: jazz on December 5, 2006 2:02 PM

I wonder if Jasmine ever got married.. ha ha!

Posted by: Shell Shell on December 5, 2006 2:21 PM

I don't know whether the ABC plan to show the rest of the episodes of West Wing until April as double episodes. They may cease when Four Corners returns early in the new year. However, Enough Rope isn't coming back until May, so there's a good chance that we'll get at least one episode on Monday nights in the 9.30 timeslot.

Posted by: J Bar on December 5, 2006 2:38 PM

Hi, does anyone know if Seven plans to show any more episodes of StandOff. I know it wasn't setting the ratings world on fire but it wasn't a bad show. I hate this habit the networks have of showing just enough episodes to make me want to see more and then pulling the entire show with no explanation whatsoever! I also notice that BONES isn't on this week and since we are only 2 eps from the Season Finale I hope that they haven't pulled it as well (I thought it was rating quite well?).

Posted by: Bee on December 5, 2006 2:42 PM

Did anyone catch the end of Vanished? I flicked over during the ads and when I got back, Boston Legal was starting? Did I miss a "To Be Continued"? Was there credits? Did I get caught up in a very short time warp? Is it going to be on next week? Aaaarrrrgh

Posted by: Karina on December 5, 2006 2:52 PM

To Karina: It is a "to be continued" thing. From what I have read the entire season/show is about this one case....not sure if that's right or not but that was my impression.

Posted by: Bee on December 5, 2006 3:17 PM

Rome returns 14 December at 1030pm Ch9

Posted by: cronk on December 5, 2006 3:38 PM

umm, i saw the end of vanished although i can't even remember what happened - it wasn't a real end anyway - "To Be Continued". i didn't realise it was that kind of a show, thought it would be stand alone episodes. As for standoff - yahoo7 site says episode 4 will be shown on 11 december at 8:30 PM., followed by vanished.

Posted by: Snowball on December 5, 2006 3:49 PM

"Quoth Tribal Mind: I will ask, though Seven may not be talking to me."
Oh dear. What have you done to cheese them off? Or are they all off drinking champagne and celebrating Xmas early?
And I haven't had a chance to enjoy any of the silly season viewing as yet. Damned work hasn't finished for the year for me yet!

Tribal Mind replies: Turns out Seven is still talking, and they say they will run all 14 eps of Vanished. No guarantee as to timeslot, though.

Posted by: tqd on December 5, 2006 3:54 PM

Thanks J Bar. With any luck when Four Corners returns they will just shift TWW back to the wasteland that is Thursday nights! (Mind you if I could have set my DVD region code to 0 I would have been seen them all last year.)

Posted by: Cat on December 5, 2006 5:05 PM

I told you TM that Seven would show all the episodes. Those numbers last night were fantastic. I don't see Seven moving it anywhere.

Tribal Mind replies: It hasn't happened yet. We'll know in 14 weeks.

Posted by: bugzy on December 5, 2006 8:38 PM

Hi TM

Do you know what plans Ten has for The Office?

Season 3 has done well in the US critically and in the 18-49 demographics.

I know Ten showed it after 10.30PM Sundays this year but I found it too hard to watch it due to its timeslot.

Are there plans to use the summer season to relaunch the program?

Steve Carrell has done starred in a few high profile films and I would think that Ten could use this as one promo angle?!

Posted by: JJ on December 5, 2006 8:50 PM

Hi Tm
Thanks for the info about silly season.
Although if in the past, ratings were not measured. Then how did they know what was a success and there by make more money?
side note - Channel 9 is SO annoying with all this sport. First the cricket, now they've added all this swimming to plate. It's 9.15 and i'm still waiting for Weeds which TV guide said would be on at 9 pm

Tribal Mind replies: Ratings were measured between february and November by having people fill in diaries of their viewing.

Posted by: steve on December 5, 2006 9:20 PM

hey tribal mind
how come swimming is only shown every second night
they were full promoting it and sunday's ratings were good
so how come they replace it with 20-1 and the new adventures of old chirstine?

TM replies: Perhaps the swimming was rained out?

Posted by: anthony on December 5, 2006 10:06 PM

Hi TM
Could you tell me how Wild At Heart rated on Sunday?

Tribal Mind replies: 462,000

Posted by: rt on December 5, 2006 10:36 PM

He looks like the little boy who played Tristram in the 70's British sitcom "George & Mildred".

tqd: And I haven't had a chance to enjoy any of the silly season viewing as yet. Damned work hasn't finished for the year for me yet!
Um, enjoy is not a word I would use to describe the silly season viewing yet!! Although have 70s show back is always fun!! And I saw the start of Weeds, which showed promise (but I recorded so I could watch it in full at a more convenient time). Steve, it started at about 9:25pm, due to cricket going over long, and then they stayed with the swimming until the overhyped, underdelivered Liesel Jones 'World Record Swim' (that wasn't). Other than that, not much promise at this stage. TM, is Gilmore Girls going to get a run this year?

Tribal Mind replies: Not listed by Nine. I'd go with the DVDs.

Posted by: beckala on December 6, 2006 8:23 AM

Its not so much that Kevin Rudd looks like anyone in particular, its more that he looks like a generic Scandavian Prime Minister; no doubt very sensible and ernest. At least he already looks the part of a leader.

Posted by: Robert McGrath on December 6, 2006 9:12 AM

Hi TM
You say that Ch9 isn't listing Gilmore Girls, but I was certain I saw it in their summer lineup. Has this changed?

Tribal Mind replies: I mean no timeslot listed so far. They may show it, they may not get around to it. As John Howard might say, "it was not a core commitment".

Posted by: cronk on December 6, 2006 10:10 AM

Butters or Alan Bennett??

My lovely Mum swears that he looks like Elmer Fudd and can't be convinced otherwise. Any thoughts?

Posted by: Sam on December 6, 2006 10:19 AM

Hi Tm - What is going on with Bones? We were 2 episodes from the season finale. Did Seven just end it early due to the start of the 'silly season'?

Also are Nine planning to show Kidnapped? It was axed in the US after 5 episodes...I was downloading it and want to know what happens.

Posted by: Helena on December 6, 2006 10:23 AM

@ Helena, with Bones, yes 2 more episodes left and Seven will hold them off till ratings next year. Seven considers it a show too good to waste over summer.
Nine has the rights to Kidnapped, and have started promoting it for 2007, but as alot of other shows Nine promoted for 2006, we might not end up seeing it.

Posted by: bugzy on December 6, 2006 10:56 AM

Kevin bloody Rudd looks just like John bloody Denver. Am I the only one not bloody blind?
Actually, from a distance, he is not unlike he who(m?) he wishes to replace!

Posted by: Harry Sternberg on December 6, 2006 11:12 AM

Will the final 9 episodes of Third Watch, I don't think they were shown during the year, and the last season of Judging Amy (Mum's favourite show) air on 9 over summer, anyone know?

Posted by: John on December 6, 2006 12:01 PM

TM, What is seven doing with the last season of Alias? Thought it'd be in the silly season line up for sure.

Tribal Mind replies: I asked and they never replied. I'll ask again.

Posted by: Mish on December 6, 2006 12:02 PM

Doesn't Julia Gillard look like Peter Pan?

Posted by: Levendi on December 6, 2006 12:03 PM

TM, Seven said they'll hold Alias off till next year. A late night cult hit slot is certain, 10:30pm

Posted by: bugzy on December 6, 2006 12:22 PM

Kevin looks like Bill grainger the chef with glasses

Posted by: David Lehmann on December 6, 2006 1:06 PM

Kevin Rudd reminds me of the Nazi agent from Raiders of the Lost Ark (Major Toht played by Ronald Lacey).

Posted by: Natalie on December 6, 2006 1:18 PM

Thanks for the info Bugzy! If Nine are planning on screening Kidnapped in 2007...then there's no way I'll be seeing the final episodes. Nine will probably axe it by episode 3! I was hoping Nine would do what Seven are doing with Vanished and screen it now.

Posted by: Helena on December 6, 2006 1:24 PM

My wife and I reckon Kevin Rudd looks like a grown-up version of the Milky Bar kid! We still like him.

Posted by: Johnny on December 6, 2006 1:26 PM

How did Cricket in the 60s do on the ABC last night?

Posted by: drb123 on December 6, 2006 1:33 PM

There is no race. Kevin Rudd is John Denver re-incarnated. Do a google image search. The proof is all over the place. I'm now starting to think that Kevin Rudd was not working as a bureaucrat in QLD in the early 90's- he was recording albums about high mountains. He never died in that plane crash.

Posted by: Steve Kelly on December 6, 2006 1:38 PM

I am recently back from living in the UK (been there for the past ten yrs) and I have to say I am gobsmacked that the free to air commercial stations get away with cutting off a series mid season as a ratings tactic. Its unheard of in the UK. Over there, if they say they are going to show a season of lets say LOST, they show the whole damn series. Channel 9 seemed to do this with Survivor. It was on at 9.30 Weds then they changed it and now I don't even know if its on anymore.
I think its incredibly cynical of the stations to treat their view with such contempt. And yet, from reading this Blog over the last 3mths, there seems to be no change in the free to air commercial stations' behaviour inspite of constantant viewer protests.

I am showing the Free to air stations what I think of their scheduling tactics by voting with my remote - I shall be watching foxtel, at least I know they will show the programme they had originally advertised (ok they show it and show it and show it but thats another issue altogether).

Posted by: Chelley on December 6, 2006 1:45 PM

If 7 are delaying bones till next year, I guess there is no reason for me not to download the rest of the series. And if I am doing that, I might as well go for series 2 as well. Well done 7, drive another loyal fan to channel broadband.

Posted by: Ali on December 6, 2006 2:23 PM

John at 12.01pm Third Watch is scheduled for next Tuesday at 8.30pm.
SIT is there any way to get seperate audience figures for the cricket that finished at 7.20pm Sydney time last night. The news broadcasts today are estimating 3 million viewers tuned in. This would put in the top 10 for most watched sports shows wouldn't it?

Posted by: dab on December 6, 2006 3:07 PM

Rudd sounds like Blair - and that's a scary thought!

Posted by: Neil C. on December 6, 2006 4:00 PM

Quoth beckala at December 6, 2006 08:23 AM: Um, enjoy is not a word I would use to describe the silly season viewing yet!!

No, it's usually rather pathetic drivel that makes you want to rip out your eyeballs with a rusty fork (or rip out the eyeballs of the creators of the tripe shown on TV). But this time we do have Weeds (I didn't catch all of it because I was trying to catch Caroline Quentin on Seven, and the damned swimming just kept on going - 25 bloody minutes late!!!). I was rather gobsmacked by it (language! sex! drugs! phwoar!). Definitely not your standard Channel Nine viewing. Can't wait to find time to watch my copies!

Not to mention The West Wing, Will & Grace, That 70's Show, and hopefully Gilmore Girls. And Nip/Tuck always looked good, but I never caught it.

I also fondly remember discovering Blackadder and Buffy during other silly seasons, many years ago. Sometimes the silly season does have some gems.

Posted by: tqd on December 6, 2006 4:15 PM

Kevin Rudd - no doubt in my mind, he's a dead ringer for Mr Peabody from the Rocky & Bullwinkle cartoon series - same glasses, same looking-down-his-nose-at-the-unwashed-masses intellectualism...

great sound track, likeable antiheroes, very refreshing for 9 i thought..

and I may be wrong - but I kinda like a program that has a female character utter (well, she it wasn't really whispered) the "c" word.

this show has Balls!
i hope they actually show the enture series!

Posted by: Ben Wilson on December 6, 2006 4:58 PM

kevin rudd looked like harry potter back in the late 1990's.
Julia Gillard, Ginger Meggs.

TM do you have the numbers for the UEFA champions league for WED?

Posted by: harry on December 6, 2006 5:42 PM

A note to John, Re: Third Watch.
Ch9 has it scheduled for next week, from memory tuesday at 9:30pm.
Hopefully they will run the final 6 or so epsiodes until the very end.

Posted by: Craig Burden on December 6, 2006 5:51 PM

Unfortunately for Kevin Rudd, the person he most resembles is archbishop Jensen.

Posted by: Alan on December 6, 2006 6:00 PM

Kevin Rudd reminds me of Andy Warhol.

Posted by: TGO on December 6, 2006 7:18 PM

OMG! I read a message above saying channel 7 isnt showing alias again until next year!
I was so happy ch 10 was showing charmed and now ch7 isnt showing Alias! D*mn U ch 7!
Since alias is a pretty big cult hit then viewers will end up buying the dvd then have to wait another whole year waiting for it to come on a 10:30 time slot.How the hell did they get all the good shows when they just stuff them around and show them years after the USA show them??
Oh yeh and if Channel 10 doesnt show the whole of charmed this year than my name will change to Marilyn is furious and wants to kick FTA's a*s
On the good side my alias dvd's arriving Dec 19th yay!

Posted by: Marilyn is very VERY angry!! on December 6, 2006 8:38 PM

Any confirmation on the ratings for 'Aussie Goes Barmy' show on Fox 8?

Tribal Mind replies: Yes, I wrote the answer to that in the blog where the question first came up. I can't remember the figure offhand, but it was nowhere near 300,000. Go to www.smh.com.au/tribalmind and have a look at last week's blog.

Posted by: Jenson on December 6, 2006 10:04 PM

How about John Denver, David Hockney or even Andy Warhol.
Kevin Rudd and John Howard look like school boys and Julia Guilliard looks like the headmistress.

Rudd is the class brain and John Howard is a wannabee.

Posted by: Ailie Bruins on December 6, 2006 10:11 PM

Okay Weeds was simply BRILLIANT!

Although does anyone know if that was a double episode? It seemed like there was a shift in the atmosphere of the show after the first half hour? If so will Ch 9 continue showing double episodes each week. OH and they better not skip episodes and finish it half way through the season like they've done with other shows.

Side note - For any unhappy Alias fan with a credit card. Type Aussurvivialist into google and click on the link. It's a company that deals with Amazon in the US. Simply buy the last season of Alias now for $40 or something, plus postage.

Posted by: steve on December 6, 2006 10:32 PM

Hey Marilyn is very angry, Ten has said that if Charmed rates well in the summer it will continue into the ratings season.

Yesterday Charmed came second in total viewers and in 16-39 and 18-49s.

After living overseas for a few years, I came back to my friends all raving about it and how they knew I'd love it. So I watched it and lamented about how unfunny it really was.

I gave them another go last night and watched the Da Vinci Kath and Kim. But I got a headache from the camerman jerking the camera around so much. Why is this such a popular way to film programs? What happened to just sitting still?

I lasted about 15 mins and then, I switched channels. Not only was the show NOT funny, the constant camera movement also gave me a headache.

Posted by: Killer Bees on December 7, 2006 11:08 AM

At least it's rating better than rove live.

Posted by: srdjan at December 6, 2006 10:46 PM

Bit of a generalisation, don't you think?? Rove has rated better than 775,000 on 23 occasions this year. Its season average was 826,000.

Posted by: Samuel123 on December 7, 2006 11:13 AM

Kath and Kim just shows you that good programs still get high ratings at this time of year. Why do we still have a non-ratings period? Why aren't the ratings measured throughout the whole year (as they do in the UK and other countries)?

Posted by: J Bar on December 7, 2006 11:35 AM

In response to Steve, yes Weeds was a double episode. Weeds is a great show, I've already seen the first 2 seasons and it just keeps on getting better. I'm hoping there will be a third season.
If nine keep on showing double episodes it will only last 4 more weeks anyway, so i guess they will show them all. They might even continue with season 2, or save it up for the ratings season if the first season rates well.

Posted by: Matt on December 7, 2006 12:07 PM

Hoping someone can please help me!
I missed Weeds on Tuesday and noticed nine is playing the pilot again tonight - but was Tuesday two episodes?

Posted by: Danna on December 7, 2006 12:16 PM

Hi, wondering how numb3rs went last night? I really like the show - shame it couldnt be on at a 8:30 timeslot - it was painfull sitting through some of the other rubbish earlier in the evening - so bad i was considering making it an early night.

Tribal Mind replies: 758,000.

Posted by: leonard on December 7, 2006 12:56 PM

TM - could you please confirm that I am the only person who is watching Bob & Rose late on Monday nights/early Tuesday mornings? I'm rather taken with the subject matter and think it's extremely well written and acted, what a pity I have to have a snooze and then wake up after midnight to watch it. Memo to self: get a video so you can tape it silly girl!

Tribal Mind replies: You are. Nobody else has even heard of it.

Posted by: Miss Ann on December 7, 2006 1:33 PM

Ahhh if only they seriously posed an alternative to the cricket int he form of Kath and Kim with perhaps a chaser of Ab Fab and an entree of The Vicar of Dibley. A night where we can laugh and prove women are funny.. it's just that most men aren't quick enough to get the jokes.

Posted by: Edina on December 7, 2006 2:39 PM

TM, do u know if ch.10 is bringing "brainiac" back??? whatdid it rate while it was on??? its a funny show where they "pick science up by the collar and bash them up for their money".

Posted by: MP on December 7, 2006 3:30 PM

Does anyone know how Da Kath and Kim code rated the first time it was on, cause thats a good figure for a repeat (+ it went until 10pm, so it was a good av.)?

"Anyone" replies: 2.2 million the first time (12 months ago).

Posted by: Richard on December 7, 2006 3:37 PM

Quoth Chelley at December 6, 2006 1:45 PM: I am showing the Free to air stations what I think of their scheduling tactics by voting with my remote ...

Unfortunately, if you don't have a people meter, they may not care. You can do what I do, and ring them and put in a complaint every time they stuff up. (My complaints are usually "when is the show I *want* to watch going to actually start?", and I ring at five minute intervals.)

And for those wondering, I got the distinct impression from the review in the SMH's Guide that it was the first two episodes of Weeds shown. I don't know if Channel 9 will continue showing them that way or not.

@Danna, yes Tuesday was 2 episodes, you'll only get the pilot tonight(Thursday). Just letting you know that Nine is cutting these episodes down from a 30 minute show to a 20 minute show (excluding commercials).

Posted by: bugzy on December 7, 2006 4:42 PM

Heya TM
Just curious. How did Aussie Princess rate last night???

Tribal Mind replies: 719,000.

Posted by: rt on December 7, 2006 7:08 PM

TM
Could you tell me how Medium did last night?

Tribal Mind replies: 764,000

Posted by: rt on December 7, 2006 7:24 PM

TM
Could you tell me how each episode of Close To Home and the New Adventures of Old Christine rated last night, thanks.Tribal Mind replies: I don't know what you mean by "each episode". I can find only one figure for Close To Home -- 838,000 -- and for Christine -- 849,000.

Posted by: hayd on December 7, 2006 8:49 PM

Tribal Mind, I'm sure you're correct when you say the 3 commercial networks don't care less how shows rate in the summer recess, but at the same time, it'd be interesting to know (from both Tribal any other posters to this blog) what previous cases there have been, of uncancelled US shows
that were tested out during the summer recess and because they rated quite well, the network kept showing them or screened new episodes, when the ratings season resumed again.
I have no doubt if Nine get impressive ratings from the excellent Weeds season 1 eps being shown (which I don't think they will, even though it's a great show) they'd consider screening Weeds season 2 (that finished up in October in the US) during the ratings period. Or that Nine would screen Nip / Tuck season 4 during the ratings period (whose season 4 eps finish showing in the US next week).

Posted by: CSquires on December 7, 2006 9:08 PM

Hey, just wondering how The Unit and Close to home did on wedensday night? Thanks

Tribal Mind replies: Unit 789,000. See above for CTH.

Posted by: Matt on December 7, 2006 9:55 PM

Why is Pauline Hanson described as "ugly,racist,nasty" when all she is doing is telling the truth as she see's it.
For bob brown to brand her a "bloodsucker" is calling the kettle black.After all he is a "lawyer is he not.In my opinion that rates him beneath the pond on the evolutionary scale.(in my opinion)

Posted by: Wes Adams on December 7, 2006 10:50 PM

TM, do u know if ch.10 is bringing "brainiac" back??? whatdid it rate while it was on??? its a funny show where they "pick science up by the collar and bash them up for their money".

* Posted by: MP at December 7, 2006 3:30 PM

G'day MP,
According to IMDB there have been five seasons of the show (four completed, one in production - so we have only got one season so far it seems) so there should be more on the air in Oz as long as Ten sees fit?
Although Ten tend to treat British shows terribly (look at how they treated the latter seasons of The Sketch Show).
Richard Hammond (the host of the show) has been replaced as of season 5 by another Brit (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5345812.stm ).
Hope that helps! Maybe TM can have a whisper in the ears of those next to Anzac Bridge to see what's happening?

Posted by: Martin Lester on December 7, 2006 11:08 PM

Bugzy - Thanks for the reply re: Weeds.

Posted by: Danna on December 8, 2006 8:16 AM

Hey, Wes Adams.
If Pauline Hanson is described as "ugly,racist,nasty" isn't that just somebody else just telling the truth as they see it? Freedom of speech. There's no difference.

Posted by: Wazza on December 8, 2006 8:37 AM

CSquires at December 7, 2006 9:08 PM asked:
"What previous cases there have been, of uncancelled US shows that were tested out during the summer recess and because they rated quite well, the network kept showing them or screened new episodes, when the ratings season resumed again".

In answer to your question, Frazier immediately comes to mind. Ch 9 would only show it during the non ratings period for several years.

Posted by: TGO on December 8, 2006 9:46 AM

CSquires at December 7, 2006 9:08 PM asked:
"What previous cases there have been, of uncancelled US shows that were tested out during the summer recess and because they rated quite well, the network kept showing them or screened new episodes, when the ratings season resumed again".

Ghost Whisperer on Seven. It screened last summer, or the summer before, and it came back during ratings period.

Posted by: bugzy on December 8, 2006 10:08 AM

How did the AFI awards rate?

Tribal Mind replies: 414,000, which woudl have been a good result if they'd been on SBS. Nine would not be so pleased.

Posted by: Adam on December 8, 2006 10:31 AM

TM I think you're getting alittle too excited with Weeds HAHA. The pilot episode was fantastic but the second episode wasn't as good, which is understandable comparing a regular episode with the pilot. I'll definitely be watching to see how it turns out, but I don't see it being a hit.

Posted by: bugzy on December 8, 2006 10:41 AM

Buffy was another one that rated in the silly season and came back in prime time.

Canwest looks like it has put up channel 10 up for sale. Lets hope the new owners consider changing the format a little and gits rid of some of the raw sewrage programs it has like big brother.

Posted by: Geoff on December 8, 2006 11:16 AM

Wes Adams at December 7, 2006 10:50 PM

Unless either Pauline Hanson or Bob Brown have their own TV show, I think you're on the wrong blog.

Posted by: tqd on December 8, 2006 11:18 AM

Browsing the rest of the SMH Online, I found this in the listing of who won what at the AFI Awards last night (http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/12/07/1165081092150.html):

Marny Kennedy won the young actor award for the Nine Network series Mortified.

Er, did I blink and miss this series? It's not ringing any bells for me!

Posted by: tqd on December 8, 2006 11:20 AM

OK what happened to Stargate on Thursday nights?

Are they keeping it till the ratings return just in case wining the 11.30pm Thursday to 12.30am Friday timeslot proves to be the critical point in the ratings war.

Posted by: Sherlock on December 8, 2006 11:35 AM

Hey TM, How did Cricket in the 60s rate on the ABC? (Tuesday 9:20)

Tribal Mind replies: 679,000.

Posted by: drb123 on December 8, 2006 11:39 AM

Side note - For any unhappy Alias fan with a credit card. Type Aussurvivialist into google and click on the link. It's a company that deals with Amazon in the US. Simply buy the last season of Alias now for $40 or something, plus postage.

Did that. It's full of sites for those weirdos who stock up on canned goods waiting for the end of the world.

Posted by: Rupert on December 8, 2006 11:45 AM

Does anybody have any info on 'The Loop'? Is it still being made? Is it a success? It was a comedy without a laugh track, which I appreciate and similarities to 'Scrubs', but not hilariously funny. Mimi Rogers was the only big name star.

Tribal Mind replies: Flop in US. Got 868,000 here.

Posted by: J Bar on December 8, 2006 11:50 AM

loved Weeds, but can't see nine sticking with it into next years ratings unless it is above 1 million (they dumped Old Christine at this level).

I hope it finds over 1 million, but to me it seem too black and non-formulaic to succeed in a mass market type way. Bit like Arrested development?

Posted by: chris on December 8, 2006 12:12 PM

Weeds didn't grab me at all, but I am glad that Christine is back on.

Posted by: damien on December 8, 2006 3:53 PM

Oooooh, Channel 9. Advertising Hugh Jackman's appearance on the ARI's and then he's not there. I was mighty annoyed at that - I actually wacthed them - that they would advertising him like that (he was advertised first in the list of celebrities, meaning they he knew he would draw people in), and then, whaddya know, he wasn't there. His wife was there. Big deal. Heath was great - but COME ON, Channel 9!

Posted by: Ann . O on December 8, 2006 4:36 PM

Only caught the second half of weeds, and then only because it was too hot to go to bed. Was surprised at the language and concepts, it didn't seem like an American sitcom at all! Mrs Beaver, Mrs Brady and Mrs Cunningham must be spinning FAST somewhere! Not sure if it will drag me back for a deliberate second look, but if it's on and I'm in the room, I will watch it to see how Episode Two goes.

Buffy was another one that rated in the silly season and came back in prime time.
Posted by: rae at December 8, 2006 10:52 AM
I wouldn't call 10:30pm/11:00pm on a Monday night Prime Time... Which is where it screened except for non-ratings season, where they showed previously screened episodes during a 7:30/8:30 timeslot, which were watched by a lot of fans, but was never translated into prime viewing time during ratings season.
Very glad Channel 7 brought back final season of Will & Grace. Any chance of Scrubs being brought back, either at night or during the day?

Posted by: beckala on December 8, 2006 11:03 PM

Posted by: Rupert at December 8, 2006 11:45 AM
Sorry Rupert. I should of said 'Aussurvivialist dvd' into google.
It should bring up a link called Unforgivable blackness. Click on that and it'll take you to the dvd section.
TM you really should let us have an 'edit' button

Posted by: steve on December 8, 2006 11:38 PM

TM or anyone else,
Will the Victoria Secret Fashion Show be aired any time soon?

Tribal Mind replies: It appears often on the Fashion Network, which is one of the basic package channels on Foxtel.

Posted by: steve on December 9, 2006 12:41 AM

hey TM
any news form 9 yet about what they plan to screen in place of Dr Phil next year?

Tribal Mind replies: No. I don't think they've made a decision yet, because it is not a high priority. They'll probably just shuffle their existing shows around, or put old movies into the slot. Why do you ask?

Posted by: david on December 9, 2006 2:17 AM

no real reason just wondered if channel 9 had any intention to put anything new on its spot like a new soap or if they will be cheap and put repeats of water rats on haha

Posted by: david on December 9, 2006 9:16 PM

Browsing the rest of the SMH Online, I found this in the listing of who won what at the AFI Awards last night (http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/12/07/1165081092150.html):
Marny Kennedy won the young actor award for the Nine Network series Mortified.
Er, did I blink and miss this series? It's not ringing any bells for me!
*Posted by: tqd at December 8, 2006 11:20 AM

Mortified is a children's drama series which was shown on Nine at 4pm weekdays during the year. It may be repeated next year.

Posted by: johnson on December 9, 2006 10:33 PM

For those people wondering about the swimming, the reason it is on every second night is that FoxSports also has rights and therefore Nine and Foxtel share the sessions (one night on, one night off).

Posted by: Nick on December 9, 2006 10:53 PM

Has Channel 7 confirmed that the final season of Alias will be shown next year in the 10.30 timeslot or is this just a rumour? TM could you please contact channel 7 and ask about Alias. Thank you

Tribal Mind replies: Have contacted Seven. All Seven says is Alias will be back in February or March. Networks do not give timeslots that far in advance so competitors cannot counter-program.

Posted by: kirra on December 10, 2006 12:51 AM

Yes, we are in the silly season, well and truly... o.k a couple of gems like Weeds and Life Begins to name a couple but seriously... some of the repeated programs are woeful.... e.g Brainest BB Contestant, this was truly awful when it was first aired. So it makes for an even worse repeat. On another note... really hating the ads inside programs on SBS... o.k they have to make money somehow but the shows they air do not lend themselves to ads as much as those on commercial networks too as those were mostly written with ad breaks in mind. Hope that makes sense, hungover from Xmas party :)

Posted by: kate on December 10, 2006 3:33 PM

TM - What did American Idol, Comedy Classics and FlashDance get on Saturday?
Who won the first week of the Non-Ratings Period?

Tribal Mind replies: 414,000; 667,000; and 462,000; Nine. And might I say how much the unpaid researchers here appreciate the politness of your tone.

Posted by: phil on December 10, 2006 5:27 PM

Hi TM
Could you tell how American Idol rated last night?

Tribal Mind replies: See previous answer.

Posted by: rt on December 10, 2006 6:10 PM

On Friday night I was watching the chanell 10 news in melbourne at 5pm. During the bulletin they had an article about the AFI awards and showed a still picture from the seven canoes film. One of the actors appeared to be naked except it wasn't certai as a piece of vegetation was covering his vital bits. Nothing unusual there, but my wife swears that there was a graphic which said "Look at how his
*&%$ is covered up"
Did anyone else notice this?

Posted by: Ian on December 10, 2006 11:01 PM

Hi There,
Melbourne v Sydney A League Football (soccer) on Friday night got the biggest Australian crowd to a domestic soccer game in Australia of 50,333. Do you have the foxtel ratings for this match?
Thanks

Posted by: David on December 11, 2006 7:59 AM

I'm sure a series like Monk or Seventh Heaven would attract more viewers on a Saturday night than American Idol. I can't believe they are ruining the chances of Australian Idol again by running this. Also do we really need a reality show like 'Laguna Beach' to run in prime time on an Australian commercial network? The advertising slogan is 'from Scrags to Riches'. Please. Spare us from this tripe.

Posted by: J Bar on December 11, 2006 9:06 AM

TM you're really pushing this Weeds things. It's never going to be the next Friends!

Posted by: bugzy on December 11, 2006 11:01 AM

The unusually high number of viewers for Nine news in Melbourne last night (553,000) was because 1. people wanted to know what was happening on the Victorian bushfire crisis; 2. regular weekday newsreader Peter Hitchener temporarily returned to read the bulletin; 3. the golf coverage on Seven went overtime with Nick O'Hern and Peter Lonard involved in a sudden-death playoff that did not finish until 6.20pm AEST. This in turn affect the audience for the news afterwards, more insulting given that bulletins on Ten and ABC got more than 300,000. I think Seven may reconsider whether to broadcast next year's PGA Championship.

Posted by: johnson on December 11, 2006 12:13 PM

Sarah Murdoch did well on her first run this morning. Put a decent male co-host with her and Sunrise might get some real competition.

She put the over-paid Ms Rowe to shame.

Posted by: Neil on December 11, 2006 12:43 PM

I know it is off topic of the forum, but I can't stand for someone deriding Bob Brown in any forum. YOu may not agree with all of his viewpoints, but please remember that if it wasn't for Bob Brown, the Uppper Franklin River in Tasmania (one of thw world's most pristine rainforest habitats - virtually untouched by humans) would be uner water right now.
He will always deserve respect for having lead that long and worthwhile fight - Pauline Hanson, telling the truth?? Thats the thing about truth - it is only truth from that persons viewpoint. Pauline hasn't done a thing butfeather her own nest in her entire life.

Posted by: chris on December 11, 2006 1:02 PM

Wow I have got to stop trusting what everyone says about my favourite shows! Last week ALias was gonna be shown in next years silly season and now its gonna come on in feb/march. Channel 7 must have alot of hope in it for it to not be shown in the silly season. Maybe they just needed a timeslot to fill in. Oh and about Charmed not lasting past January, does that mean we have to wait another year for it to come on cos the DVD is coming out in Feb.

Posted by: Marilyn is confused on December 11, 2006 2:07 PM

Bollocks, Murdoch was Bec Hewitt II

Posted by: jed on December 11, 2006 2:35 PM

Bugzy wrote: TM you're really pushing this Weeds things. It's never going to be the next Friends!

Oh I hope not - I think I am one of the very few people in the universe who never liked Friends. Didn't "hate" it, just didn't like or care for it. Weeds I think I like, it has an edge that bland cutesy Friends never had.

Posted by: kate on December 11, 2006 2:58 PM

Why doesnt 7 show Stargate Atlantis in prime time now it is the silly season? They had the nerve to show 2 episodes late at night then pulled it again. I mean they show rubbish this time of year so at least they can show a program that a lot of viewers want to see at a decent time. But no, us poor sci-fi fans get a raw deal again. I suppose I will have to buy the DVD's to see season 2.
Does TM have any news as to when 7 may show it and normal Stargate again?

Posted by: wendy on December 11, 2006 3:01 PM

Well, its official. Melbourne is the Paris Hilton intrigue capital of the world, according to the latest Google trends data. Closely followed by...Sydney. New Zealand is the second most popular country to search on the paparazzi princess. The Zeitgeist's favorite social tool also shows that her star is waning, not even registering a significant uptick for the recent DUI troubles. Search at: http://www.google.com/trends?q=paris+hilton&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all
why was I searching. Dont ask!

Posted by: Steve Kelly on December 11, 2006 5:55 PM

Sarah Murdoch was the epitomy of awful. No personality. No discernible talent. Not informed. Not fun. Not Jessica.
Congratulations Lachlan, you have a beautiful wife.
Beauty doesn't always make for good telly.
For reference see baywatch.

Posted by: david @ wahroonga on December 11, 2006 6:08 PM

Hey, I was just wondering when the Victoria Secret Fashion Show 2006 will be shown on our TV screens? (not pay TV)

Tribal Mind replies: Unlikely to be shown on free to air TV, except as brief excerpts. Why do you ask?